A. This procedure includes guidance on patching metal
gutters using a soldered metal patch,
a caulked metal
patch or a fabric patch.

B. Gutters with soldered joints are usually under
continual
stress due to expansion and contraction
following changes
in temperature. An overloaded
gutter can also cause
holes, popped seams, and deteriorated
straps.

C. Safety Precautions:

1. Wear rubber-soled shoes that
have non-slip or grid
type tread (preferably
sneakers with a high top for
good ankle support).
Avoid wearing loose clothing.

2. Wear a safety belt or harness
secured to a chimney
or other substantial
element. Leave only enough
slack to perform the
work comfortably in one area,
and adjust the slack
as the work proceeds on other
sections of the roof.

3. Be sure the roof is clear
of debris and water.

4. Do not work on wet or snow-covered
roofs. Work on
cleated walkboards.

5. Steep roofs: On roof
slopes greater than 4 inches
rise per foot, special
consideration must be given
to both footing and materials
handling.

a. Chicken ladders
or cleats secured at the top
for
adequate footing.

b. Approved safety
lines should be secured with
manila
rope.

c. Carry a limited
amount of materials so that
balance
and footing are not impaired.

d. Scaffolding,
ladders and working platforms as
required
to execute this work.

D. See 01100-07-S for general project guidelines
to be
reviewed along with this procedure.
These guidelines
cover the following sections:

1. Safety Precautions

2. Historic Structures Precautions

3. Submittals

4. Quality Assurance

5. Delivery, Storage and Handling

6. Project/Site Conditions

7. Sequencing and Scheduling

8. General Protection (Surface
and Surrounding)

These guidelines should be reviewed
prior to performing
this procedure and should be followed,
when applicable,
along with recommendations from the
Regional Historic
Preservation Officer (RHPO).

NOTE: Chemical products are sometimes sold under a
common
name. This usually means that the substance is not
as pure as
the same chemical sold under its chemical name. The
grade of
purity of common name substances, however, is usually adequate
for stain removal work, and these products should be purchased
when available, as they tend to be less expensive. Common
names are indicated below by an asterisk (*).

1. Metal corrosion factors: In
varying degrees each
type of sheet metal is
likely to deteriorate from
chemical action resulting
in pitting or streaking.
The cause may be airborne
pollutants, acid
rainwater, acids from
lichen or moss, or alkalis
found in mortar.

2. Maintenance problems: Corrosion
around nails.
Roof cement on gutters
may hide leaks that have not
been corrected.

3. Inspect for gutters that are
split or cracked with
loose, broken, out of
place, hangers, corners or
slopes, or pulling of
fasteners, broken joints or
seams; excessive staining
or punctures of gutter
fabric.

5. Inspect for cracks, splits,
punctures, and dirt
stains on downspouts
as well.

B. Inspect the underside of the roof cornices. Water
stains
may be evidence of ice dams.

C. Check gutters as a part of the annual roof inspection
(preferably in late autumn). Repair
defects immediately
because gutters are a critical part
of the roof fabric.
Small gutter leaks may force water into
concealed cornice
and roof areas leading to major defects.
It is
recommended that a professional survey
be carried out
every five years.

D. Inspect soldered gutters annually, and resolder
any
broken joints.

NOTE: SOLDERING USUALLY REQUIRES
A FAIRLY HIGH LEVEL OF
EXPERIENCE.

E. Inspect all parts of the drainage system, including
downspouts, flashing, conductor heads,
leaders, roof
drains, and scuppers. Be sure
to include these in the
work list when maintenance or repair
are being made to
the gutters.

F. See also 07631-01-S "General Inspection and
Maintenance
of Gutters and Downspouts".

3.02 PREPARATION

A. Protection:

1. At the end of each work day,
provide building
protection for any exterior
gutter element removed
for repair or replacement,
if water penetration is
possible.

2. Landscape work adjacent to
or within the ground
work areas for gutter
maintenance shall be
protected. Provide
plank barriers to protect tree
trunks. Tie-up
spreading shrubs, and cover as
necessary, allowing the
plants to breathe. Remove
the covering and ties
at the end of each work day.
Set scaffold ladder and
legs away from plants.
Pruning requests shall
be directed to the Regional
Architect.